Environment and water resources minister Yaacob Ibrahim was quoted as saying on local radio that smokers would be allowed to light up only in designated smoking corners at open-air cafes and hawker centres.

"Come 1 July 2006, non-smokers will be insulated, and they can have makan (Malay for food) at our hawker centres or the coffee shop without having to suffer secondary smoke," Ibrahim was quoted as saying on Newsradio 938.

Smoking is currently banned in all air-conditioned buildings and establishments except bars.

Ibrahim said the ban will be extended from July 2007 to include indoor entertainment outlets such as air-conditioned karaoke lounges and pubs.

"This would give (owners) enough time to make adjustments to their outlets," such as building smoking rooms with separate ventilation systems, he said.

An online survey of 617 residents conducted by the National Environment Agency between January and February showed 91 percent support a smoking ban in hawker centres, while 90 percent approve of a similar ban in open-air cafes.

Eighty-three percent of respondents wanted a similar ban in indoor entertainment outlets.

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